Carbon nanotube chain and production process for the same, target detector, and target detection method

Abstract

To provide a carbon nanotube chain consisting of a row of carbon nanotubes, the carbon nanotube chain being suitably used for instance as a target detector or sensor, and an efficient production process for the same. The carbon nanotube chain includes a support, and a plurality of carbon nanotubes bonded at one end to a surface of the support, wherein the plurality of carbon nanotubes is oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the surface of the support.

1 . A carbon nanotube chain comprising: 
 a support; and    a plurality of carbon nanotubes bonded at one end to a surface of the support,    wherein the plurality of carbon nanotubes is oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the surface of the support.    
   
   
       2 . The carbon nanotube chain according to  claim 1 , wherein the support is a linear article and the carbon nanotubes are aligned in a row.  
   
   
       3 . The carbon nanotube chain according to  claim 1 , wherein the end of each of the carbon nanotubes bonded to the support is opened, and the other end thereof is closed.  
   
   
       4 . The carbon nanotube chain according to  claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanotubes are identical in at least any one of length, thickness, and outer diameter.  
   
   
       5 . The carbon nanotube chain according to  claim 1 , wherein the average length of the carbon nanotubes is 1 μm or less.  
   
   
       6 . The carbon nanotube chain according to  claim 1 , wherein the support is made of carbon.  
   
   
       7 . The carbon nanotube chain according to  claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanotubes are covered with a functional material.  
   
   
       8 . The carbon nanotube chain according to  claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanotube chain is used for capturing a detection target.  
   
   
       9 . The carbon nanotube chain according to  claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanotube chain comprises a target capturing body which comprises a binding portion capable of being bound to the carbon nanotube and a target capturing portion capable of capturing a detection target.  
   
   
       10 . The carbon nanotube chain according to  claim 9 , wherein the carbon nanotube and the target capturing body are held together by chemical bonding.  
   
   
       11 . A target detector comprising: 
 a carbon nanotube chain; and    a holder;    wherein the carbon nanotube chain comprises a capturing portion capable of capturing a detection target, and    wherein the carbon nanotube chain comprises a support and a plurality of carbon nanotubes bonded at one end to a surface of the support, wherein the plurality of carbon nanotubes is oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the surface of the support.    
   
   
       12 . The target detector according to  claim 11 , wherein the capturing portion is formed of a target capturing body which comprises a binding portion capable of being bound to the carbon nanotube and a target capturing portion capable of capturing a detection target.  
   
   
       13 . A process for producing a carbon nanotube chain, comprising: 
 forming grooves in a metallic layer;    performing a nanohole formation treatment to form a nanohole structure in which a row of nanoholes is formed in each of the grooves, the nanoholes being oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to a surface of the metallic layer;    forming a carbon nanotube in each of the nanoholes,    removing carbon deposited on surfaces of lands of the metallic layer between the grooves; and    dissolving away the metallic layer,    wherein the carbon nanotube chain comprises a support and a plurality of carbon nanotubes bonded at one end to a surface of the support, wherein the plurality of carbon nanotubes is oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the surface of the support.    
   
   
       14 . The process for producing a carbon nanotube chain according to  claim 13 , wherein the metallic layer is made of aluminum.  
   
   
       15 . The process for producing a carbon nanotube chain according to  claim 13 , wherein the width of each of the grooves is changed at regular intervals along the length thereof.  
   
   
       16 . The process for producing a carbon nanotube chain according to  claim 13 , wherein the nanohole formation treatment is anodization.  
   
   
       17 . The process for producing a carbon nanotube chain according to  claim 13 , wherein the carbon nanotubes are formed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD).  
   
   
       18 . The process for producing a carbon nanotube chain according to  claim 13 , wherein removal carbon deposited on surfaces of the lands of the metallic layer is performed by at least one of wrapping and chemical mechanical polishing (CMP).  
   
   
       19 . The process for producing a carbon nanotube chain according to  claim 13 , wherein removal of carbon deposited on the side surfaces of the lands of the metallic layer is performed by application of one of an ion beam and electron beam thereto at angles with respect to the length and height of the lands.  
   
   
       20 . A target detection method comprising: 
 causing a target detector to act on a sample containing a detection target,    wherein the target detector comprises a carbon nanotube chain and a holder,    wherein the carbon nanotube chain comprises a support and a plurality of carbon nanotubes bonded at one end to a surface of the support, wherein the plurality of carbon nanotubes is oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the surface of the support, and    wherein the carbon nanotube chain comprises a capturing portion capable of capturing the detection target.